Ultrasound probe and communication method thereof

ABSTRACT

Provided are an ultrasound probe and a communication method of the ultrasound probe capable of selecting an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus and/or a wireless communication method that are most appropriate in an environment in which a plurality of ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses exist. A method of communicating with an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, performed by the ultrasound probe, includes operations of obtaining a plurality of pieces of information about ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses; displaying an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus list, based on the plurality of pieces of information about the ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses; receiving an input for selecting an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus from the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus list; and wirelessly transmitting ultrasound image data to the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, wherein the ultrasound image data is generated by the ultrasound probe.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/080,528, filed on Nov. 14, 2013 which claims the benefit of KoreanPatent Application No. 10-2013-0048517, filed on Apr. 30, 2013, in theKorean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which areincorporated herein in their entireties by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an ultrasound probe and a communicationmethod thereof, and more particularly, to a wireless ultrasound probethat wirelessly communicates with an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, anda communication method of the wireless ultrasound probe.

2. Description of the Related Art

An ultrasound system delivers an ultrasound signal, which is generatedat a transducer of an ultrasound probe, to a predetermined internal partof a target object, and obtains an image of the internal part of thetarget object by receiving information of an echo signal reflected fromthe internal part of the target object. In particular, the ultrasoundsystem is used for medical purposes including observation, detection offoreign materials, damage measurement, or the like that are related tothe internal part of the target object.

Compared to a diagnosis apparatus using X-rays, the ultrasound system isstable, displays an image in real-time, and is safe without a risk ofradioactivity, and thus, the ultrasound system is widely used with animage diagnosis apparatus.

Here, when a user obtains the image of the target object by using theultrasound probe, inconvenience is experienced due to a communicationcable that connects the ultrasound probe and an ultrasound diagnosisapparatus. In order to improve operability of the ultrasound probe bysolving this inconvenience, it is required to arrange a wirelessultrasound probe that connects to the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus viawireless communication.

However, when one ultrasound probe is subordinate to one ultrasounddiagnosis apparatus, respective ultrasound probes have to be arranged tocorrespond to respective ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses, such that itis expensive to arrange the ultrasound probes and it is difficult tocontrol the ultrasound probes.

Thus, it is required to arrange a wireless ultrasound probe that is notsubordinate to one ultrasound diagnosis apparatus and that is capable ofcommunicating with a plurality of ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses.Also, in a case of an ultrasound system capable of providing anultrasound image in real-time to a user, it is required to stably drivethe wireless ultrasound probe that transmits data of the ultrasoundimage. Thus, in order to stably drive the wireless ultrasound probe, itis required to select an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus and/or awireless communication method that are most appropriate in anenvironment in which a plurality of ultrasound diagnosis apparatusesexist.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a wireless ultrasound probe capable ofcommunicating with a plurality of ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses, anda communication method of the wireless ultrasound probe.

The present invention also provides a wireless ultrasound probe capableof efficiently delivering user-required information by displaying anultrasound diagnosis apparatus list, based on a plurality of pieces ofinformation about ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses, and a communicationmethod of the wireless ultrasound probe.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided amethod, performed by an ultrasound probe, of communicating with anultrasound diagnosis apparatus, the method including operations ofobtaining a plurality of pieces of information about ultrasounddiagnosis apparatuses; displaying an ultrasound diagnosis apparatuslist, based on the plurality of pieces of information about theultrasound diagnosis apparatuses; receiving an input for selecting anultrasound diagnosis apparatus from the ultrasound diagnosis apparatuslist; and wireless transmitting ultrasound image data to the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatus, wherein the ultrasound image data is generated bythe ultrasound probe.

The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus list may include information about awireless communication method that can be used by the ultrasound probeto transmit the ultrasound image data to at least one of the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatuses. The operation of wireless transmitting theultrasound image data may include operations of determining a wirelesscommunication method that is used to transmit the ultrasound image datato the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus; and transmitting the ultrasoundimage data to the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus by using the wirelesscommunication method. Here, the wireless communication method mayinclude at least one of wireless local area network (LAN), Wi-Fi,Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi Direct (WFD), ultra wideband (UWB), infrareddata association (IrDA), Bluetooth low energy (BLE), near fieldcommunication (NFC), wireless broadband internet (Wibro), worldinteroperability for microwave access (WiMAX), shared wireless accessprotocol (SWAP), and radio frequency (RF) communication.

The plurality of pieces of information about the ultrasound diagnosisapparatuses may include information about a diagnosis department or adiagnosis part related to each of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses.

The plurality of pieces of information about the ultrasound diagnosisapparatuses may include information about whether each of the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatuses communicates with another ultrasound probe.

The plurality of pieces of information about the ultrasound diagnosisapparatuses may include at least one of information about the otherultrasound probe that communicates with one of the ultrasound diagnosisapparatuses, information about a time when communication between theother ultrasound probe and one of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatusesends, and usage reservation information of the other ultrasound probewith respect to one of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses.

When wireless communication between the ultrasound probe and theultrasound diagnosis apparatus is discontinued, the method may furtherinclude an operation of providing information indicating that thewireless communication is discontinued.

When wireless communication between the ultrasound probe and theultrasound diagnosis apparatus is discontinued, the method may furtherinclude an operation of transmitting the ultrasound image data toanother ultrasound diagnosis apparatus.

When wireless communication between the ultrasound probe and theultrasound diagnosis apparatus that can communicate with the ultrasoundprobe by using a plurality of wireless communication methods isdiscontinued, the method may further include an operation oftransmitting the ultrasound image data to another ultrasound diagnosisapparatus by using another wireless communication method, instead ofusing the determined wireless communication method.

When a strap that is connected to the ultrasound probe is detached fromthe ultrasound probe, the operations of obtaining, displaying, andwireless transmitting may be performed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is providedan ultrasound probe including an information obtaining unit forobtaining a plurality of pieces of information about ultrasounddiagnosis apparatuses; a display unit for displaying an ultrasounddiagnosis apparatus list, based on the plurality of pieces ofinformation about the ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses; a user inputunit for receiving an input for selecting an ultrasound diagnosisapparatus from the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus list; a control unitfor selecting the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, based on the input;and a communication unit for wirelessly transmitting ultrasound imagedata to the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, wherein the ultrasound imagedata is generated by the ultrasound probe.

The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus list may include information about awireless communication method that can be used by the ultrasound probeto transmit the ultrasound image data to at least one of the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatuses, the control unit may determine a wirelesscommunication method that is used to transmit the ultrasound image datato the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, and the communication unit maytransmit the ultrasound image data to the ultrasound diagnosis apparatusby using the determined wireless communication method. Here, thedetermined wireless communication method may include at least one ofwireless local area network (LAN), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-FiDirect (WFD), ultra wideband (UWB), infrared data association (IrDA),Bluetooth low energy (BLE), near field communication (NFC), wirelessbroadband internet (Wibro), world interoperability for microwave access(WiMAX), shared wireless access protocol (SWAP), and radio frequency(RF) communication.

The plurality of pieces of information about the ultrasound diagnosisapparatuses may include information about a diagnosis department or adiagnosis part related to each of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses.

The plurality of pieces of information about the ultrasound diagnosisapparatuses may include information about whether each of the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatuses communicates with another ultrasound probe.

The plurality of pieces of information about the ultrasound diagnosisapparatuses may include at least one of information about the otherultrasound probe that communicates with one of the ultrasound diagnosisapparatuses, information about a time when communication between theother ultrasound probe and one of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatusesends, and usage reservation information of the other ultrasound probewith respect to one of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses.

When wireless communication between the ultrasound probe and theultrasound diagnosis apparatus is discontinued, the control unit mayprovide information indicating that the wireless communication isdiscontinued.

When wireless communication between the ultrasound probe and theultrasound diagnosis apparatus is discontinued, the control unit maycontrol the communication unit to transmit the ultrasound image data toanother ultrasound diagnosis apparatus.

When wireless communication between the ultrasound probe and theultrasound diagnosis apparatus that can communicate with the ultrasoundprobe by using a plurality of wireless communication methods isdiscontinued, the control unit may control the communication unit totransmit the ultrasound image data to another ultrasound diagnosisapparatus by using another wireless communication method, instead ofusing the determined wireless communication method.

When a strap that is connected to the ultrasound probe is detached fromthe ultrasound probe, the ultrasound probe may be activated.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a programfor executing the method, by using a computer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodimentsthereof with reference to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a general ultrasound system including awireless ultrasound probe;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a communication method of an ultrasound probe,according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an operating method of the ultrasound probewhen wireless communication with an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus isdiscontinued, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the ultrasound probe, according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the ultrasound probe, according to anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the ultrasound probe, according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a screen that is displayed on the ultrasound probe,according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a screen that is displayed on the ultrasound probe,according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a screen that is displayed on the ultrasound probewhen a strap connected to the ultrasound probe is detached from theultrasound probe, according to an embodiment of the present invention;and

FIG. 10 is a signal flowchart of a procedure in which the ultrasoundprobe selects an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus and performs wirelesscommunication, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail byexplaining exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to theattached drawings. The invention may, however, be embodied in manydifferent forms, and should not be construed as being limited to theembodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the concept of the invention to those of ordinary skill in theart. In the following description, well-known functions or constructionsare not described in detail since they would obscure the invention withunnecessary detail, and like reference numerals in the drawings denotelike or similar elements throughout the specification.

Throughout the specification, it will also be understood that when anelement is referred to as being “connected to” another element, it canbe directly connected to the other element, or intervening elements mayalso be present. Also, when a part “includes” or “comprises” an element,unless there is a particular description contrary thereto, the part canfurther include other elements, not excluding the other elements.

Throughout the specification, a term ‘target object’ may be a targetinanimate object or a target animate object, which is displayed via animage. Also, the target object may be a part of a human body and mayinclude the liver, the heart, the womb, the brain, the breast, theabdominal region, or the like, a fetus, or a cross-section of a part ofa human body. Throughout the specification, a “user” may be a medicalexpert including a doctor, a nurse, a medical laboratory technologist, asonographer, or the like.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail byexplaining exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to theattached drawings.

Expressions such as “at least one of,” when preceding a list ofelements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify theindividual elements of the list.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a general ultrasound system 100 including awireless ultrasound probe 110.

The ultrasound system 100 may include the wireless ultrasound probe 110and an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 120.

The wireless ultrasound probe 110 may be wirelessly connected with theultrasound diagnosis apparatus 120, so that the wireless ultrasoundprobe 110 may transmit an ultrasound signal to a target object accordingto a control signal that is transmitted from the ultrasound diagnosisapparatus 120 and may generate a reception signal by receiving anultrasound signal (e.g., an ultrasound echo signal) that is reflectedfrom the target object. The wireless ultrasound probe 110 may generateultrasound image data by focusing the reception signal and then maytransmit the ultrasound image data to the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus120.

The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 120 may be wirelessly connected withthe wireless ultrasound probe 110, so that the ultrasound diagnosisapparatus 120 may generate an ultrasound image by using the ultrasoundimage data transmitted from the wireless ultrasound probe 110, and maydisplay the ultrasound image. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 120 mayinclude a communication unit 122, a control unit 124, a display unit126, and an input unit 128.

The communication unit 122 may perform wireless communication with thewireless ultrasound probe 110. The communication unit 122 may transmitthe control signal from the control unit 124 to the wireless ultrasoundprobe 110, and may receive the ultrasound image data that is transmittedfrom the wireless ultrasound probe 110.

Also, the communication unit 122 may be wired or wirelessly connectedwith a network 20, thereby communicating with an external device or aserver. The communication unit 122 may exchange data with a hospitalserver or other medical apparatuses in a hospital via a picturearchiving and communication system (PACS). Also, the communication unit122 may perform data communication according to the digital imaging andcommunications in medicine (DICOM) standard.

The communication unit 122 may transmit or receive data such as anultrasound image, ultrasound data, Doppler data, or the like of thetarget object, which are related to a diagnosis about the target object,and may transmit or receive a medical image captured by the othermedical apparatuses such as a computerized tomography (CT) apparatus, amagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus, an X-ray apparatus, or thelike. Furthermore, the communication unit 122 may receive informationsuch as a diagnosis history or a treatment schedule about a patient fromthe hospital server, and then may use the information in the diagnosisabout the target object. In addition, the communication unit 122 mayperform data communication with not only the hospital server or theother medical apparatuses in the hospital but also may perform datacommunication with a portable terminal of a doctor or a customer.

The control unit 124 may generate a control signal so as to control anoperation of the wireless ultrasound probe 110 according touser-requested information that is provided via the input unit 128. Thecontrol signal may include a control signal that is used to control thewireless ultrasound probe 110 to generate an ultrasound signal, and acontrol signal that is used to control transmission and reception of theultrasound signal. In addition, the control unit 124 may controlwireless communication with the wireless ultrasound probe 110, and maycontrol generation and display of an ultrasound image.

According to the user-requested information via the input unit 128, thecontrol unit 124 may perform various signal processing operations (e.g.,gain adjustment or the like) on the ultrasound image data, which istransmitted from the wireless ultrasound probe 110) so as to generatethe ultrasound image. The control unit 124 may generate the ultrasoundimage that corresponds to the user-requested information, by using asignal-processed reception signal.

The display unit 126 may display the ultrasound image, which isgenerated by the control unit 124, on a screen.

The input unit 128 is formed with a control panel, a mouse, a keyboard,or the like, and may generate the user-requested information in responseto a user request. The user-requested information may include aselection about an application indicating a diagnosis part of the targetobject, a selection about a diagnosis mode at which the ultrasound imageis generated, an adjustment of various gain values, or the like.

However, when a wireless ultrasound probe is subordinate to oneultrasound diagnosis apparatus, respective wireless ultrasound probeshave to be arranged to correspond to respective ultrasound diagnosisapparatuses, and thus, it is expensive to arrange the wirelessultrasound probes and it is difficult to maintain the wirelessultrasound probes.

Thus, one or more embodiments of the present invention provide anultrasound probe which is not subordinate a ultrasound diagnosisapparatus but capable of communicating with a plurality of ultrasounddiagnosis apparatuses.

Also, one or more embodiments of the present invention provide anultrasound probe capable of automatically or manually selecting acommunication method that is the most appropriate for a usageenvironment, by selecting a wireless communication method with respectto an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, and a communication method of theultrasound probe.

Also, one or more embodiments of the present invention provide theultrasound probe that displays an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus list,based on a plurality of pieces of information about ultrasound diagnosisapparatuses, so as to allow a user to rapidly and correctly recognizeinformation when the user selects an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, anda communication method of the ultrasound probe.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a communication method of the ultrasound probe400 (refer to FIG. 4), according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

In operation S210, the ultrasound probe 400 may obtain a plurality ofpieces of information about ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses.

Here, the “ultrasound diagnosis apparatus” may mean an apparatus that iswirelessly connected with the ultrasound probe 400 and that providesultrasound image data, which is transmitted from the ultrasound probe400, to a user by processing the ultrasound image data. Also, theultrasound diagnosis apparatus may generate an ultrasound image by usingthe ultrasound image data, which is transmitted from the ultrasoundprobe 400, and then may display the ultrasound image.

The “information about the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus” may includeat least one of a name of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, functioninformation about the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, and statusinformation about the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus.

The function information about the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus mayinclude at least one of a wireless communication method that is providedby the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, an application that is applied tothe ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, a diagnosis department or adiagnosis part at which the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus is possiblyused, and a class of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus.

The “application” may include all types of application software whichare used by the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus so as to process images.For example, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus may use differentapplications according to diagnosis departments or diagnosis parts atwhich the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus is used. For example, thediagnosis departments may include an obstetrics (OB) department, agynecology (GYN) department, a pediatrics (PD) department, a chestsurgery (CS) department, a radiology (RD) department, a neurosurgery(NS) department, an abdomen department, or the like.

The class of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus may be decided by a useror a manufacturer of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus according to aquality of an ultrasound image or a total number of applications thatthe ultrasound diagnosis apparatus may provide.

Also, the status information about the ultrasound diagnosis apparatusmay include at least one of whether the ultrasound diagnosis apparatuscommunicates with the ultrasound probe 400; information about theultrasound probe 400 that communicates with the ultrasound diagnosisapparatus; a time when communication between the ultrasound diagnosisapparatus and the ultrasound probe 400 ends; usage reservationinformation of the ultrasound probe 400 with respect to the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatus; a wireless communication strength of the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatus; and a position of the ultrasound diagnosisapparatus.

For example, the information about the ultrasound diagnosis apparatusmay include information about a wireless communication method by whichthe ultrasound probe 400 transmits ultrasound image data to theultrasound diagnosis apparatus.

The wireless communication method that the ultrasound probe 400 uses mayinclude, but is not limited to, wireless local area network (LAN),Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi Direct (WFD), ultra wideband (UWB),infrared data association (IrDA), Bluetooth low energy (BLE), near fieldcommunication (NFC), wireless broadband internet (Wibro), worldinteroperability for microwave access (WiMAX), shared wireless accessprotocol (SWAP), and radio frequency (RF) communication.

The ultrasound probe 400 may receive data signals that are transmittedfrom the ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses and then may obtain theplurality of pieces of information about the ultrasound diagnosisapparatuses based on the data signals. Also, the ultrasound probe 400may obtain the plurality of pieces of information about the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatuses based on a user input, or may obtain previouslystored information from a storage unit.

In operation S220, the ultrasound probe 400 may display the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatus list based on the plurality of pieces of informationabout the ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses which are obtained inoperation S210.

The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus list may display identifiers (e.g.,names, allocated numbers, allocated letters, or allocated symbols of theultrasound diagnosis apparatuses) that correspond to the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatuses, and the plurality of pieces of information aboutthe ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses which are obtained in operationS210.

For example, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus list may include namesof the ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses, and one or more wirelesscommunication methods that can be used in communication between theultrasound diagnosis apparatuses and the ultrasound probe 400.

In operation S230, the ultrasound probe 400 may receive an inputinvolving selecting at least one ultrasound diagnosis apparatus from theultrasound diagnosis apparatus list that is displayed in operation S220.For example, the input that involves selecting at least one ultrasounddiagnosis apparatus may be a command that is input by the user or ispreviously stored in the storage unit 470.

The ultrasound probe 400 may recognize a user input involving selectingat least one ultrasound diagnosis apparatus from the displayedultrasound diagnosis apparatus list.

For example, the user may input the command involving selecting at leastone ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, via a user input unit that isincluded in the ultrasound probe 400.

In operation S240, the ultrasound probe 400 may wirelessly transmitultrasound image data to the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus selected inoperation S230. Here, the ultrasound probe 400 may determine a wirelesscommunication method used by the ultrasound probe 400 to transmit theultrasound image data to the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, and maytransmit the ultrasound image data to the ultrasound diagnosis apparatusby using the determined wireless communication method.

For example, the ultrasound probe 400 may receive a user input thatselects the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus and the wirelesscommunication method from the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus list thatdisplays one or more wireless communication methods that can be used inthe communication between the ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses and theultrasound probe 400.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the ultrasoundprobe 400 may automatically or manually select a communication methodthat is the most appropriate for a usage environment, by selecting thewireless communication method with respect to the ultrasound diagnosisapparatus. Here, the one or more wireless communication methods that theultrasound probe 400 may use are not limited to the aforementionedexamples.

Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present invention may alsoinclude various changes in form and details which may be made by thoseof ordinary skill in the art, in view of a basic concept according tothe present embodiment, e.g., a feature in which the ultrasound probe400 may select at least one wireless communication method from amongvarious wireless communication methods with respect to the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatus. Also, it will be understood by those of ordinaryskill in the art that the spirit and scope of the present invention mayinclude any ultrasound probe that may communicate with the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatuses by using not only the aforementioned wirelesscommunication methods but also using other wireless communicationmethods similar to the aforementioned wireless communication methods,and that may select at least one wireless communication method fromamong the wireless communication methods.

In the ultrasound system 100 shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasound diagnosisapparatus 120 may be wirelessly connected with the wireless ultrasoundprobe 110, so that the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 120 may generatethe ultrasound image by using the ultrasound image data transmitted fromthe wireless ultrasound probe 110, and may display the ultrasound image.When the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 120 provides the ultrasoundimage data for a diagnosis to a user in real-time, it is required forthe wireless ultrasound probe 110 to seamlessly provide the ultrasoundimage data to the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 120.

Thus, in order for the wireless ultrasound probe 110 to seamlesslyprovide the ultrasound image data to the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus120, stable wireless communication between the wireless ultrasound probe110 and the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 120 is required.

According to the present embodiment, when wireless communication withthe ultrasound diagnosis apparatus is discontinued, the ultrasound probe400 capable of stably communicating with the ultrasound diagnosisapparatus may provide information indicating that the wirelesscommunication with the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus is discontinued.

Thus, according to the information provided from the ultrasound probe400, the user may input a command to the ultrasound probe 400, whereinthe command controls the ultrasound probe 400 to transmit the ultrasoundimage data by using another wireless communication method.Alternatively, the user may input a command to the ultrasound probe 400,wherein the command controls the ultrasound probe 400 to transmit theultrasound image data to another ultrasound diagnosis apparatus.

Also, in another embodiment, when the wireless communication with theultrasound diagnosis apparatus is discontinued, the ultrasound probe 400may automatically change a wireless communication method or a targetultrasound diagnosis apparatus to receive the ultrasound image data.

A detailed operating method of the ultrasound probe 400 capable ofstably communicating with the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus will now bedescribed with reference to FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an operating method of the ultrasound probe 400when wireless communication with an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus isdiscontinued, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In operation S310, the ultrasound probe 400 may detect that wirelesscommunication with an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus selected inoperation S230 of FIG. 2 is discontinued. The ultrasound probe 400 mayperiodically determine whether wireless communication is normallyperformed. Whether the wireless communication is normally performed maybe determined in consideration of the strength of data signals that aretransmitted and received. Alternatively, the ultrasound probe 400 mayreceive a data signal indicating the discontinuation of the wirelesscommunication from the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, so that theultrasound probe 400 may detect the discontinuation of the wirelesscommunication.

In operation S320, the ultrasound probe 400 may inform the user of thediscontinuation of the wireless communication which is detected inoperation S310. Information indicating the discontinuation of thewireless communication may be provided in a video or audio form.

In operation S330, the ultrasound probe 400 may search for anotherwireless communication method other than the wireless communicationmethod of which wireless communication is discontinued. The ultrasoundprobe 400 may search for the other wireless communication method, basedon a priority order of the stored wireless communication methods,wherein the other wireless communication is ranked as a next one of thewireless communication method of which wireless communication isdiscontinued, in the priority order. Here, the priority order of thestored wireless communication methods may be automatically determinedbased on a plurality of pieces of ultrasound diagnosis apparatusinformation such as distances between the ultrasound diagnosisapparatuses and ultrasound probe 400, or the like, or may be manuallydetermined in response to a user input.

In operation S340, the ultrasound probe 400 may determine whether theother wireless communication method that is searched for in operationS330 is appropriate to perform wireless communication with theultrasound diagnosis apparatus that is selected in operation S230. Theultrasound probe 400 may determine whether the other wirelesscommunication method is appropriate, based on whether the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatus that is selected in operation S230 supports theother wireless communication method, a distance between the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatus and the ultrasound probe 400, and the strength ofsignals exchanged with the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus when the otherwireless communication method is used.

If the other wireless communication method is appropriate to perform thewireless communication with the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus that isselected in operation S230, in operation S342, the ultrasound probe 400may perform the wireless communication by using the other wirelesscommunication method.

On the other hand, if the other wireless communication method is notappropriate to perform the wireless communication with the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatus that is selected in operation S230, the ultrasoundprobe 400 may search for another wireless communication method.

According to the operating method of the ultrasound probe 400 shown inFIG. 3, in operation S344, when the other wireless communication methodis not appropriate for the ultrasound probe 400 to perform wirelesscommunication with the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus that is selectedin operation S230, the ultrasound probe 400 may search for anotherultrasound diagnosis apparatus to which the ultrasound probe 400transmits the ultrasound image data.

In order to search for the other ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, theultrasound probe 400 may perform again the operation of obtaining aplurality of pieces of information about ultrasound diagnosisapparatuses which is shown in operation S210 of FIG. 2. The ultrasoundprobe 400 may search for the other ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, basedon the plurality of pieces of information about the ultrasound diagnosisapparatuses which are obtained again.

Alternatively, the ultrasound probe 400 may search for an ultrasounddiagnosis apparatus as the other ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, basedon a priority order of the stored ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses,wherein the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus is ranked as a next one ofthe ultrasound diagnosis apparatus that is selected in operation S230,in the priority order. Here, the priority order of the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatuses may be automatically determined based on theplurality of pieces of obtained information about the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatuses, or may be manually determined in response to auser input.

In operation S350, the ultrasound probe 400 may determine whether theother ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, which is searched for in operationS344, is appropriate to perform wireless communication with theultrasound probe 400. For o example, whether the other ultrasounddiagnosis apparatus is appropriate to perform the wireless communicationwith the ultrasound probe 400 may be determined based on the strength ofsignals exchanged with the other ultrasound diagnosis apparatus or basedon a user input.

For example, when the strength of the signals exchanged with the otherultrasound diagnosis apparatus is equal to or greater than apredetermined value, the ultrasound probe 400 may determine that theother ultrasound diagnosis apparatus is appropriate to perform thewireless communication with the ultrasound probe 400. A case in whichthe strength of the signals exchanged with the other ultrasounddiagnosis apparatus is equal to or greater than the predetermined valuemay mean that a signal of ultrasound image data that is generated by theultrasound probe 400 is sufficiently strong to be transmitted to theother ultrasound diagnosis apparatus.

When the other ultrasound diagnosis apparatus is not appropriate toperform the wireless communication with the ultrasound probe 400, theultrasound probe 400 may return to operation S344 and then may searchfor another ultrasound diagnosis apparatus.

When the other ultrasound diagnosis apparatus is appropriate to performthe wireless communication with the ultrasound probe 400, in operationS360, the ultrasound probe 400 may perform the wireless communicationwith the other ultrasound diagnosis apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the ultrasound probe 400, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

The ultrasound probe 400 may transmit an ultrasound signal to a targetobject, may receive an ultrasound signal (e.g., an ultrasound echosignal) that is reflected from the target object, and then may generatea reception signal. The ultrasound probe 400 may focus the receptionsignal, thereby generating ultrasound image data used in generation ofan ultrasound image.

The ultrasound probe 400 may generate the ultrasound image data and thenmay transmit the generated ultrasound image data to an external device.Here, the “external device” that receives the generated ultrasound imagedata may include an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, a display device, apersonal computer (PC), a server, or the like.

Elements of the ultrasound probe 400 are configured to performoperations that constitute the communication method of the ultrasoundprobe 400 in FIG. 2. Thus, hereinafter, although descriptions may beomitted, if the descriptions are provided above with reference to thecommunication method of the ultrasound probe 400 in FIG. 2, thedescriptions may also be applied to the ultrasound probe 400 shown inFIG. 4.

The ultrasound probe 400 may include an information obtaining unit 410,a display unit 420, the user input unit 430, a control unit 440, and acommunication unit 450.

The information obtaining unit 410 may obtain a plurality of pieces ofinformation about ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses. The informationobtaining unit 410 may obtain the plurality of pieces of informationabout the ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses, based on data signals fromthe ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses or a user input.

The display unit 420 may display an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus list,based on the plurality of pieces of information about the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatuses which are obtained by the information obtainingunit 410. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus list may include theplurality of pieces of information about the ultrasound diagnosisapparatuses.

For example, the display unit 420 may display identifiers (e.g., names,allocated numbers, allocated letters, or allocated symbols of theultrasound diagnosis apparatuses) that correspond to the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatuses.

Also, the display unit 420 may display wireless communication methodssupported by the ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses, diagnosis departmentsor diagnosis parts related to the ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses,positions of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses, usage availability ofthe ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses, or the like.

Also, the display unit 420 may display state information related to anoperation required to obtain ultrasound image data, a user interface(UI) or a graphic user interface (GUI) which is related to functionsetting, and an ultrasound image of the target object.

When a display panel of the display unit 420 and a touch pad to bedescribed later form a mutual layer structure and thus are formed as atouch screen, the display unit 420 may be used as both an output deviceand an input device.

The display unit 420 may include at least one of a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD),an organic light-emitting display device, a flexible display, athree-dimensional (3D) display, and an electrophoretic display.

The user input unit 430 may receive an input that involves selecting anultrasound diagnosis apparatus from the ultrasound diagnosis apparatuslist that is displayed on the display unit 420. The user input unit 430may be formed of, but is not limited to, a key pad, a mouse, a domeswitch, a touch pad (a touch capacitive type touch pad, a pressureresistive type touch pad, an infrared beam sensing type touch pad, asurface acoustic wave type touch pad, an integral strain gauge typetouch pad, a piezoelectric effect type touch pad, or the like), a jogwheel, a jog switch, or the like. Also, the user input unit 430 mayreceive a user input which is transmitted from an external device thatcommunicates with the ultrasound probe 400.

The control unit 440 controls all operations of the ultrasound probe400, and controls the information obtaining unit 410, the display unit420, the user input unit 430, and the communication unit 450 so as toperform wireless communication with the selected ultrasound diagnosisapparatus. The control unit 440 may select the ultrasound diagnosisapparatus based on the user input received by the user input unit 430.

The communication unit 450 may wirelessly transmit ultrasound image datato the selected ultrasound diagnosis apparatus. Also, the communicationunit 450 may receive a control signal with respect to generation of theultrasound image data from the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus. Also, thecommunication unit 450 may receive data signals including the pluralityof pieces of information about the ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses, andthen may output the data signals to the information obtaining unit 410.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the ultrasound probe 400, according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, the ultrasound probe 400 may further includean image generating unit 460, the storage unit 470, a user interface480, and a power unit 490.

The information obtaining unit 410, the display unit 420, the user inputunit 430, the control unit 440, and the power unit 450 of the ultrasoundprobe 400 which are shown in FIG. 5 correspond to those of FIG. 4, thus,corresponding descriptions will be omitted here.

The image generating unit 460 may transmit an ultrasound signal to atarget object and may generate a reception signal by receiving anultrasound signal (e.g., an ultrasound echo signal) that is reflectedfrom the target object.

The storage unit 470 stores various types of information required by theultrasound probe 400 to operate. For example, the storage unit 470 maystore, but is not limited to, the ultrasound signal that is transmittedfrom the image generating unit 460, the ultrasound echo signal,ultrasound image data that is generated from the ultrasound echo signal,the plurality of pieces of information about the ultrasound diagnosisapparatuses which are obtained by the information obtaining unit 410, ora control signal that is transmitted from one of the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatuses.

The user interface 480 provides information related to operations of theultrasound probe 400 to a user, and receives various types of an inputfor controlling the ultrasound probe 400 from the user. The userinterface 480 may provide the information to the user by displaying aGUI related to function setting for the ultrasound probe 400 or byreproducing audio data, and may display an ultrasound image that isformed based on the reception signal formed by the image generating unit460.

The user interface 480 may include the display unit 420 and the userinput unit 430, and may further include an output unit 485. The outputunit 485 that is different from the display unit 420 functions to informthe user about a mechanical error such as discontinuation of receptionof a wireless power, and for example, the output unit 485 may include alight-emitting diode (LED), or the like.

The power unit 490 may receive a wireless power from an external sourceand may supply the wireless power to the ultrasound probe 400, or maysupply a power that is charged in a battery (not shown) to theultrasound probe 400. The battery may be charged by a power that isreceived wirelessly or by wire from an external source. The power unit490 may supply the charged power to each of elements included in theultrasound probe 400, in response to a control signal from the controlunit 440.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the ultrasound probe 400, according toan embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 6(a), the display unit 420 may be disposed at aside surface of the ultrasound probe 400 with respect to a bottomsurface 601 of the ultrasound probe 400, wherein a transducer forreceiving an ultrasound signal about a target object is disposed at thebottom surface 601.

Also, as illustrated in FIG. 6(b), the display unit 420 may be disposedat a top surface of the ultrasound probe 400. When the display unit 420is disposed at the top surface, although a user scans a target objectwhile the user holds the side surface of the ultrasound probe 400, auser's hand does not obstruct the display unit 420 so that readabilityof information that is provided by the ultrasound probe 400 isincreased.

The display unit 420 may display the strength of signals exchanged withan ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, in the form of a text or an image.Also, the display unit 420 may display a state of a power charged in thebattery. For example, the display unit 420 may display whether thebattery is being charged, whether the battery needs to be charged, aremaining quantity of power, or the like, in the form of a text or animage.

FIG. 7 illustrates a screen that is displayed on the ultrasound probe400, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates the ultrasound probe 400, and a plurality ofultrasound diagnosis apparatuses 72, 74, and 76 capable of wirelesslycommunicating with the ultrasound probe 400.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the ultrasound probe 400 may display anultrasound diagnosis apparatus list on the display unit 420, accordingto a plurality of pieces of obtained information about the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatuses 72, 74, and 76.

The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus list that is displayed on the displayunit 420 includes wireless communication methods supported by theultrasound diagnosis apparatuses 72, 74, and 76, classes of theultrasound diagnosis apparatuses 72, 74, and 76, and diagnosisdepartments for which the ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses 72, 74, and76 may be used.

For example, referring to the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus listillustrated in FIG. 7, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 72 maywirelessly communicate with the ultrasound probe 400 by using Wi-Fi, aclass of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 72 may be “Premium”, theultrasound diagnosis apparatus 72 may be used for a general ultrasounddiagnosis and for OB/GYN departments.

Also, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 74 may wirelessly communicatewith the ultrasound probe 400 by using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, a class ofthe ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 74 may be “High”, and the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatus 74 may be used for cardiovascular diagnosis.

The ultrasound probe 400 may express whether the ultrasound diagnosisapparatuses 72, 74, and 76 are appropriate to wirelessly communicatewith the ultrasound probe 400, in the form of a figure, a text, or acolor. For example, the ultrasound probe 400 shown in FIG. 7 expressesthe strength of a signal transmitted from each of the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatuses 72, 74, and 76, by using a number of bars.

FIG. 8 illustrates a screen that is displayed on the ultrasound probe400, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the ultrasound probe 400 may display anultrasound diagnosis apparatus list including a plurality of pieces ofinformation about ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses A, B, and C.

Referring to FIG. 8, the plurality of pieces of information about theultrasound diagnosis apparatuses A, B, and C may include at least one ofwhether any one of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses A, B, and Ccommunicates with another ultrasound probe, information about anultrasound probe that communicates with any one of the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatuses A, B, and C, a time when communication between anultrasound probe and any one of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses A,B, and C ends, and usage reservation information of an ultrasound probewith respect to one of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses A, B, and C.

The display unit 420 of the ultrasound probe 400 shown in FIG. 8displays information indicating that the ultrasound diagnosis apparatusA is currently used by an OOO probe, and its usage will be finished at13:15 p.m. Also, the display unit 420 displays information indicatingthat the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus B is currently used by a DDDprobe, and its usage will be finished in 32 minutes. Also, referring toFIG. 8, it is possible to recognize that the ultrasound diagnosisapparatus B is reserved for use from 13:00 to 15:00 p.m. by a probe oruser called JJJ.

Thus, a user who uses the ultrasound probe 400 shown in FIG. 8 selectsthe ultrasound diagnosis apparatus C that is currently available.

The time when communication between an ultrasound probe and any one ofthe ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses A, B, and C ends, and the usagereservation information of the ultrasound probe with respect to one ofthe ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses A, B, and C may be input via theultrasound probe or a server by a user of the ultrasound probe.

FIG. 9 illustrates a screen that is displayed on the ultrasound probe400 when a strap 910 connected to the ultrasound probe 400 is detachedfrom the ultrasound probe 400, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the strap 910 may be attached to theultrasound probe 400. A user may conveniently carry the ultrasound probe400 by using the strap 910.

When the user does not use the ultrasound probe 400, the user may keepthe ultrasound probe 400 while the strap 910 is connected thereto, andwhen the user uses the ultrasound probe 400, the user may activate theultrasound probe 400 by detaching the ultrasound probe 400 from thestrap 910.

The activated ultrasound probe 400 may perform the communication methodof the ultrasound probe 400 shown in FIG. 2. According to the embodimentof FIG. 9, it is convenient since the user can activate the ultrasoundprobe 400 without performing a separate operation such as an operationof pressing a button.

FIG. 10 is a signal flowchart of a procedure in which the ultrasoundprobe 400 selects an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 70 and performswireless communication, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. In order for the ultrasound probe 400 to select theultrasound diagnosis apparatus 70 and to perform the wirelesscommunication, a general data communication method may be used.

In operation S1010, the ultrasound probe 400 may request informationabout the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 70. The requested informationabout the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 70 may include at least one ofan identifier of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 70, a networkaddress of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 70, and a wirelesscommunication method that is supported by the ultrasound diagnosisapparatus 70.

In operation S1020, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 70 may transmitthe information about the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 70, in responseto the request from the ultrasound probe 400.

In operation S1030, the ultrasound probe 400 may select the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatus 70 and may determine to perform wirelesscommunication with the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 70, based on thereceived information about the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 70.

In operation S1040, the ultrasound probe 400 may request the wirelesscommunication to the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 70. Here, thewireless communication request from the ultrasound probe 400 may includeinformation about a protocol or synchronization related to performingthe wireless communication.

In operation S1050, the ultrasound probe 400 may receive a response fromthe ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 70, wherein the response correspondsto the wireless communication request from the ultrasound probe 400.Here, the response from the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 70 mayinclude information about a protocol or synchronization related toperforming the wireless communication.

In operation S1060, the ultrasound probe 400 may exchange data with theultrasound diagnosis apparatus 70 that is selected in operation S1030.

According to the one or more embodiments of the present invention, theultrasound probe is not subordinate to one ultrasound diagnosisapparatus but communicates with various ultrasound diagnosisapparatuses, whereby usability of the ultrasound probe may be increased.

Also, according to the one or more embodiments of the present invention,the ultrasound probe may allow a user to rapidly and correctly recognizeuser-required information by displaying the ultrasound diagnosisapparatus list based on the plurality of pieces of information about theultrasound diagnosis apparatuses.

The one or more embodiments of the present invention may be embodied asa recording medium, e.g., a program module to be executed in computers,which include computer-readable commands. The computer storage mediummay include any usable medium that may be accessed by computers,volatile and non-volatile medium, and detachable and non-detachablemedium. Also, the computer storage medium may include a computer storagemedium and a communication medium. The computer storage medium includesall of volatile and non-volatile medium, and detachable andnon-detachable medium which are designed to store information includingcomputer readable commands, data structures, program modules or otherdata. The communication medium includes computer-readable commands, adata structure, a program module, and other transmission mechanism, andincludes other information transmission mediums.

The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different formsand should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments setforth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that thisdisclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey theinventive concept to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example,configuring elements that are singular forms may be executed in adistributed fashion, and also, configuring elements that are distributedmay be combined and then executed.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understoodby those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form anddetails may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wireless ultrasound probe comprising: atransducer; a display; a communication module configured to communicatewith a plurality of external devices using a plurality of wirelesscommunication methods; and a processor unit configured to: obtain deviceinformation from the plurality of external devices, wherein the deviceinformation comprises at least one wireless communication method that issupported by an external device: control the display to display anexternal device list based on the device information of the plurality ofexternal devices; receive an input for selecting an external device fromthe external device list that is being displayed; determine a wirelesscommunication method based on the device information of the selectedexternal device; and wirelessly transmitting ultrasound image data basedon an ultrasound signal which is obtained from the transducer forgenerating an ultrasound image to the selected external device by usingthe determined wireless communication method.
 2. The wireless ultrasoundprobe of claim 1, wherein the device information comprises at least oneof a name of the external device, an identifier of the external device,a network address of the external device, function information aboutexternal device, and status information about the external device. 3.The wireless ultrasound probe of claim 2, wherein the functioninformation comprises at least one of an application of the externaldevice, a diagnosis department, a diagnosis part at which the externaldevice is to be used, and a class of the external device.
 4. Thewireless ultrasound probe of claim 2, wherein the status informationcomprises at least one of whether the external device communicates withanother ultrasound probe, a time when communication between the anotherultrasound probe and the external device ends, and usage reservationinformation of the another ultrasound probe with respect to the externaldevice.
 5. The wireless ultrasound probe of claim 1, wherein theprocessor is further configured to select another external device whenwireless communication between the wireless ultrasound probe and theselected external device is discontinued.
 6. The wireless ultrasoundprobe of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured, whenwireless communication between the ultrasound probe and the selectedexternal device is discontinued, to search for another wirelesscommunication method based on a priority order of stored wirelesscommunication methods, and wherein the searched other wirelesscommunication method is ranked as a next one in the priority order. 7.The wireless ultrasound probe of claim 6, wherein the priority order ofthe stored wireless communication methods is determined based on adistance between the ultrasound probe and the selected external device.8. The wireless ultrasound probe of claim 6, wherein if the searchedother wireless communication method is appropriate to perform thewireless communication with the selected external device, thecommunication module transmits the ultrasound image data to the selectedexternal device by using the searched other wireless communicationmethod.
 9. The wireless ultrasound probe of claim 1, wherein theprocessor is further configured to provide information of adiscontinuation of a wireless communication with the selected externaldevice via the display.
 10. The wireless ultrasound probe of claim 1,wherein the processor is further configured to select the wirelesscommunication method among the plurality of communication methods fortransmitting the ultrasound image data to the selected external device.11. The wireless ultrasound probe of claim 1, wherein the processor isfurther configured to select another wireless communication method basedon strength of a signal between the selected external device and thewireless ultrasound probe when a current communication is discontinued.